DHAKA: US president Barack Obama rallied to the support of France after the bloody end to hostage sieges in Paris, vowing to offer all assistance to combat the threat of militant Islamists.

‘I want the people of France to know that the United States stands with you today, stands with you tomorrow,’ Obama said at a speaking engagement in Tennessee, describing France as America’s ‘oldest ally’.

‘The moment that the outrageous attack took place, we directed all of our law enforcement and counterintelligence operations to provide whatever support that our ally needs in confronting this challenge,’ Obama added, reports The Straits Times.

Obama was speaking hours after the crisis that began with the massacre of 12 people at satirical weekly ‘Charlie Hebdo’ reached a dramatic climax, with French police storming two hostage sites, killing two brothers wanted for the newspaper attack and a jihadist ally.

BDST: 1610 HRS, JAN 10, 2015